Chandigarh, June 27 -- In a move aimed at tightening control over encroachments and increasing revenue, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has proposed an eight-fold hike in the licence fee for erecting or re-erecting hedges and fences on government land adjoining residential properties. It is the first such revision in over 25 years.

The proposal, to be placed before the general house for approval on Monday, seeks to raise the annual licence fee from the existing Rs.0.25 per square foot to Rs.2 per square foot. Along with this, the MC has proposed a steep hike in penalties, increasing the fine for violations from Rs.50 to Rs.5,000.

Officials said the revision has become necessary as the current rates were last fixed in 1999 and ...